Chocolate Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars – Easy, Fudgy, and Totally Irresistible!
When you’re craving something sweet, decadent, and totally satisfying, these Chocolate Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars are the answer. With a chewy chocolate base, a rich and creamy cheesecake layer, and a crumbled chocolate topping, each bite is the perfect blend of fudgy and smooth. And the best part? You don’t have to make anything from scratch—boxed cake mix does the heavy lifting, and you’re left with dessert-bar perfection in under an hour.
Cheesecake Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars
These bars are the kind of treat you’ll want to bring to potlucks, parties, or keep stashed in the fridge for late-night cravings. If you’re a fan of shortcut desserts with big flavor, be sure to check out my brownie mix cookies, Oreo dip, and these easy carrot cake bars, they’re all quick, crowd-pleasing, and delicious!
What makes this recipe a keeper is its simplicity and serious flavor payoff. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you get layers of rich chocolate and creamy cheesecake that taste like they came from a bakery. Drizzle them with chocolate sauce, top with ice cream, or just eat them straight from the pan—they’re that good.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
Super easy to make thanks to a boxed cake mix shortcut.
Rich, fudgy, and creamy in every bite.
Great for feeding a crowd—makes a full 9×13 pan of bars.
Customizable with toppings like chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, or ice cream.
Make-ahead friendly—they taste even better after chilling!
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, divided
- 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Chocolate Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil and 1 egg. It should be a crumbly consistency. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture for later.
- Pat the chocolate crumb mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Add the cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Beat with a mixer on low speed until smooth. Add sugar, cocoa powder, 1 egg and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the chocolate crust in the baking pan.
- Sprinkle reserved 1 cup of chocolate crumb mixture evenly on top.
- Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely before cutting into bars.
- To serve, drizzle with chocolate sundae sauce and top with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip reserving the crumb topping—that extra chocolate crumble on top is everything.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest, smoothest cheesecake texture.
- Let them cool completely before cutting—this helps the cheesecake layer set up nicely.
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner edges.
- Chill before serving if you prefer firmer, bakery-style bars.
FAQs
Chocolate Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars combine a delicious chocolate crust with a fluffy chocolate cheesecake layer that is then topped with more chocolate cake mix that is sprinkled on the top. It is the perfect combination of chocolate cake and cheesecake all in one bite!
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, divided
- 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan and set it aside.
In a large bowl, stir together chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil, and 1 egg. It should be a crumbly consistency. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture for later.
Pat the chocolate crumb mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Add the cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Beat with a mixer on low speed until smooth. Add sugar, cocoa powder, 1 egg, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the chocolate crust in the baking pan.
Sprinkle reserved 1 cup of the chocolate crumb mixture evenly on top.
Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely before cutting into bars.
To serve, drizzle with chocolate sundae sauce and top with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
18Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 177Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 225mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
